Romeo and Juliet Aussie style

June 1st 2013

Don't you just hate the last day somewhere? Amazingly we'd come to the end of our two months in Australia and had an evening flight booked to the Cook Islands so rather than hang around and waste the day we got up early and drove up to the Blue Mountains. We didn't have much time but managed to avoid what we call an Indian style tour of the area. This refers back to a bus tour in Goa that we once went on where there was a very strict timetable and the emphasis was definitely on packing as much in as possible rather than any aesthetic appreciation of the sights!

The Blue Mountains are quite big humps for Australia - over 1,000 meters in places and quite dramatic. In the limited time available we just went to the major sights, starting with the Wentworth Falls.  The sign above the path says that there are many steps to the falls. That was certainly true! No need to go to the gym after that. 

Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains

From there we went on to the Three Sisters. Of course there's a geological explanation for this trio of ragged rocks but I prefer the Romeo and Juliet version i.e. three sisters fancied three brothers from another tribe but of course, as they were from opposing tribes, like the Montagues and Capulets, they were not supposed to mix. However testosterone got the better of the men and they decided to force themselves on the sisters. This sparked a riot between the two tribes and the local "clever man" from the Sisters tribe decided to freeze the ladies with the intention of unfreezing them once the strife was over. Unfortunately the clever man got killed in the troubles and no one since has worked out a way to unfreeze the Sisters so there they stand, proud and tall amongst the blue mountains!

The Three Sisters - a geological formation or a tale of woe!

The Three Sisters in situ in the Blue Mountains

Had a very pleasant lunch at a deli in the mountain village of Leura. It's fair to say that most of the towns and villages we've visited in Australasia are not pretty in the way that many European places are. Leura is an exception to this. It's main street is attractive and full of interesting independent shops, all set in very pretty semi rural surroundings. Unusually for Australia where many trees are evergreen, there's a good selection of deciduous trees around this area many of which were turning beautiful shades of brown and red with the onset of winter. One of the shops had a fabulous collection of glassware (as well as all sorts of other nice things). A red eyed frog similar to the ones we'd seen in South Mission beach caught our attention and was added to our already heavty luggage collection!

Finished our quick tour of the Blue Mountains at Govetts Leap near Blackheath. Here and at the Three Sisters, you get a real appreciation of why these hills are so named. Even on a cloudy day, there's a distinctive blue hue that comes off the mountains contrasting well with the sandstone coloured rocks. 

Govett's Leap

The Blue Mountains

One of the great things about having no set agendas for days like this is that you often happen across interesting places and people. At Govett's Leap we followed an intriguing "frog poster" and popped into an exhibition by a local artist. Had we not already been tempted by a frog with attitude we might have bought a print!

Similarly when we stopped for a cup of tea on the way home, we came across a really nice cafe cum local art gallery "Loviz Art" near Springwood with a collection of art and vintage clothing and bits and pieces. Great tea and coffee and so much more fun than Starbucks!

Just a couple of Loviz pictures that sum up our trip and the artist's sense of humour!

A Golden Voyage by Tanya Loviz (spot the dolphins)

 

Come Fly with Me (to celebrate the Blue Mountains Bicentenary Fly Over)

By the end of the day it had started to rain so it seemed a good time to head for the airport and start the next phase of our adventures. Four months into the trip we said farewell to Australasia. We've had a fabulous time and seen some amazing sights. However our best memories will always be about the extended family and friends that we've met on our travels some for for the first time, others renewing former friendships. We hope to return but will be keeping in touch in the meantime.